Murmurs of shared curiosity filled the group, and Niya waited for Alōs’s answer with similar eagerness. She had wondered how he would play off their purpose for sailing here.
“If welcomed by Queen Runisha and King Anup, we will remain here a few days at least,” said Alōs. “This stop is for rest, but it’s also to acquire information on where we might find some more pretty items to add to our last raid in Cax Island. We collected rumors while in Barter Bay of possible bounty to be found farther west. So you know how to work these visits, my beautiful scum. Keep your ears alert; talk with the people. There are always clues of which nearby cities might be too blessed by the lost gods. Plenty of high and mighty that need a bit of rodent infestation to take them down a peg.”
Chuckles and hollers filled the air.
Niya rolled her eyes.
“And who knows,” Alōs went on. “We all might need to make a stop at Stockpiled Treasure the next time we’re in the Thief Kingdom.”
The crew laughed before Alōs dismissed them to prepare for port.
“I’ll definitely have to stop there,” Bree said, turning to her and Saffi, “especially after the Cax raid.”
“Wait . . .” Niya frowned. “You really have an account at Stockpiled Treasure?”
This was the most exclusive bank in the Thief Kingdom. Only the richest of the rich held their valuables there. Valuables that were usually tainted by illegal trade or acquisitions, of course, but no less worthy.
“Sure,” said Bree. “We all do. Where do you think we store everything we pillage? This ship is big, but it can’t hold a vault large enough for all we’ve grabbed over the years. We’re pirates of the Crying Queen. Fastest vessel on the Obasi waters. Most feared crew in all of—”
“Yes, yes.” Niya waved a hand. “I know perfectly well all of this ship’s shiny accomplishments.”
“Then it must come as no surprise to learn that many of us own land too,” explained Saffi. “Own stores, homes, and support lovers.” She winked. “We need somewhere to hold our investments.”
“Investments?” Niya lifted her brows. “Who knew pirates could be so financially responsible?”
“Apparently everyone but you,” said Saffi.
“Niya,” Kintra called to her from where she stood by the stairs leading below deck. “The captain wishes to see you.”
“In trouble again already, Red?” asked Saffi with an amused grin.
“Would it be a good day if I wasn’t?”
Niya left her master gunner and bunkmate to their laughter and followed Kintra to Alōs’s quarters.
Her nerves buzzed with each step she got closer to his open door, the darkness of the hall closing in on her as she moved toward the light. Images of the last time she had come here played in her mind: his glistening exposed chest, his taunting grin, and the offering of seaweed oil to help heal her scabbing wounds. It had been an odd moment of generosity from the pirate captain, which she tried to forget as she entered his space.
Like always the room was swimming with his cool presence, a light-green tinge of his magic possessively covering all.
Niya’s own gifts swirled ready in her gut as she took in his large form in all black hunched over his desk as he peered into a delicately carved box. A red glow filtered out, painting his features and angular cheekbones.
“You wished to see me?” asked Niya as Kintra came to stand at her side.
Alōs’s bright-blue eyes glanced up, roaming the length of her as he closed the lid with a snap. The ruby light cut off as he sat back in his chair. “Yes, I wanted to discuss what will need to be done while we are visiting the people of the valley.”
Niya waited as Alōs ran a finger along the edge of the box on his desk.
“As you know, we learned from Cebba that someone representing the royal family bought the other part of the Prism Stone from her to be made into a gift for the young princess Callista. What we don’t know, however, is what sort of gift. Could it have been for a necklace? A bracelet? A scepter?”
“A ring,” suggested Niya with a knowing glance.
“Yes, even a ring,” said Alōs, eyes narrowed. “Though that would be quite a heavy accessory, given the last part of the stone is quite large.”
“How do you know that?” asked Niya.
“Who do you think split the gem up to begin with?” countered Alōs. “Yet despite these unknown details, it’s good to assume that however the Prism Stone is kept, it will be in the princess’s vault of valuables.”
“Assuming she has one.”
“All royalty have personal vaults,” said Kintra at her side as she folded her arms. The raised burns on her exposed biceps bulged.
“Friends with many royals, are we?” asked Niya with a dry glance to the quartermaster.
“I’m a pirate and a thief. And a good one. I’m friends with any place expensive items are stored.”
“Yes, and for us to get to this room,” continued Alōs, returning Niya’s attention to where he sat like his own royal behind his desk, the large river they sailed in a backdrop through his windows, “we’ll need to get into the palace. Which won’t be hard, given that when any visitors such as us visit a place such as this, the rulers always demand an audience to make sure no threat to their people is present. We will be gifting the royal family with a hearty peace offering in exchange for our stay. Out of custom they will ask us to dine with them.”
“Clever,” said Niya.
“We are the Crying Queen,” explained Alōs. “Clever is merely one of our many attributes.”
“Yet humility is not,” added Niya. “Do you lot ever get tired of complimenting yourselves?”
“No,” said Alōs and Kintra at once.
The pair shared a smile, which caused something hot and uneasy to twist inside Niya’s chest.
Kintra is the exception.
Niya pushed through her discomfort. “So once we are inside, then what?”
“Once inside we need to be prepared for all things. But ultimately we will find the Prism Stone and replace it with a fake.”
“A fake?”
Alōs swiveled the box around on his desk and clicked it open.
A large red stone glowed out of a bed of white satin. It was uncut and crude but no less a glorious gem. It was about the size of her fist.
“This is a fake?” asked Niya, stepping closer. “It’s so . . .”
“Beautiful?” said Alōs as he shut the lid. Niya blinked at the sudden loss of glamour that had momentarily filled the room. “Yes, it should be, given it’s from Esrom’s own royal vault,” he continued. “It may not be part of the Prism Stone, but it certainly has value.”
“So where do I fit in with this plan?”
“Once Kintra and I assess the situation in the palace, you’ll ensure our next steps go smoothly. That we get back the other half of the stone no matter what. However we might need you to help, you will. Spelling guards, distracting guests, dancing,” he finished with a sharp grin. “You’ll need to be prepared to do it all. As you promised.”
Niya held the pirate captain’s piercing gaze, her heart beginning to beat faster. Whether at the anticipation of the heist or for the man she stood before, or both, Niya couldn’t help but feel a thrill rush down her spine. She was getting closer to her freedom. “Yes.” She nodded. “I’ll do as promised.”
“Good.” Alōs leaned back into his chair. He steepled his fingers over his wide chest, assessing her.
Though Niya hated his scrutinizing gaze, she kept still, chin up. Two can play this game, she thought. Silence stretched between them before, keeping his eyes trained on her, he opened a drawer to his right.
“I have debated whether to return these to you,” he said, revealing her blades and holster. He placed them on his desk, his hands remaining possessive over the carved hilts.
Her heart leaped at the sight of them. She had thought they had been forever lost when taken from her in Esrom. Niya’s fingers twitched at her sides to snatch them up. Ours, her magic cooed.
“And have you come to a decision on whether you will?” She lifted a brow, feigning indifference.